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6 Tips When Getting Your Motorcycle Out of Storage

Getting Your Motorcycle Out Of Storage

Introduction

On today’s Tips, Tricks, and Tech, we’re going to talk about getting your motorcycle out of storage (or UTV/ATV) ready to ride. There are six basic things you’re going to want to look at to make sure your ride and you are safe!

1. Battery

Number one is going to be the battery. Hopefully, you’ve had it on a battery tender while it’s been in storage, and that battery is ready to roll. The ideal voltage is going to be 12.7 to 13.6 for a good start. If it’s not that, pull the thing out and throw a charge on it or replace the battery.

2. Fuel

Number two is going to be the fuel. Depending on how long it’s been sitting, if it’s only been sitting three or four months, the fuel is probably fine. If it’s been sitting two to three years, you’re definitely going to want to remove the fuel from it and put fresh fuel in before you try and start it.

3. Engine Oil

Number three is going to be the engine oil. You want to make sure it’s clean and topped off.

4. Tires

Number four is going to be the tires. It’s more important on street bikes than on off-road vehicles, but you’re going to want to make sure the tires aren’t too old. If you look on the side of the tire, there’s going to be a DOT date on it. For example, if it’s 1919, that means this tire was made in the 19th week of 2019, making that tire about four years old. The average lifespan of a healthy tire is four to five years. Anything beyond that, the tire starts to dry rot and could fail on you. Make sure the tire isn’t too old, and ensure that you have it topped off with air pressure.

5. Drive System

Next is going to be your drive system. Whether it’s a chain, make sure it’s clean and adjusted, or it’s a belt, make sure the belt isn’t dry rotted or cracked. A failure of that could be catastrophic as well.

6. Brake Fluid

The last thing you’re going to check is probably the most forgotten thing, and that’s the brake fluid. A lot of people will buy a bike and just leave the brake fluid in it because it’s one of those things that you just kind of forget about. But brake fluid can cause a catastrophic failure. If it’s been sitting in storage for any amount of time, you’re going to want to flush out that brake fluid. And if it’s a hydraulic clutch, do the same for the clutch.

Final Check

Those are the six basic things you need to get that thing out on the road or out on the trail. Afterward, you’re going to want to give the bike a quick look-over. Make sure that all your headlights and taillights are functioning, your registration is current, signals, high beams, low beams—make sure all that kind of stuff works. Check the horn. The last few windows get out on the road and realize that your headlight doesn’t work at night or something like that.

Contact Us If You Need Help or Have Questions!

So those are the six basic things you need to consider when getting your motorcycle out of storage, so you can be safe, and  you can get that thing out on the road or out on the trail. If you have any other questions, call us at the Helmet Center at 623-444-4789 or visit our website at www.helmetcenter.com. We appreciate you, and we’ll see you next time.

 

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